Fit Family Challenge: Family feedback

The Hendon family meets with trainer Raquel Brunson, Pivotal Fitness Ladies Manager, as they work toward reaching their fitness goals during the Fit Family Challenge.(Photo: CINDY HOSEA/Staff)Buy Photo

When Roxanne Dingman of Spartanburg was chosen as one of the spotlight families for the Fit Family Challenge, she admits she didn't know what to expect.

Even though the Fit Family Challenge is officially over for 2015, the lessons learned from it will last with her family for months — and maybe years — to come.

"Our overall experience has been awesome," she said. "We loved every part of it, from the grocery store tour and learning a lot about labels and embracing that part of it."

The Hendon family of Greer had similar sentiments.

"We dedicated ourselves to getting our family active and even though we had obstacles throughout the challenge, we still did it," said Misty Hendon, who did the challenge with her husband, Michael, and four children, Chloe, 15, Hanna, 14, Olivia, 7, and Grace, 1.

The Fit Family Challenge launched in South Carolina May 5 and ended June 29. Families in the Upstate logged more than 550,000 minutes of activity. The statewide total was more than 1.5 million minutes. The purpose of the challenge, sponsored by Coca-Cola, was to encourage families to get fit, eat right and have fun while living a healthier lifestyle.

The Dingman family, which includes Roxanne, her husband, Chad, and their 9-year-old daughter Addison, worked out at 9Round's East Main Street Spartanburg location and received nutritional consulting from Catherine J. Neely, clinical dietitian for Mary Black Health System – Spartanburg.

"Catherine checked in weekly with us and sent us new recipes," Roxanne said. "Anything we needed, we touched base with her and she worked with us through those challenges."

Since starting the challenge, the Dingmans have incorporated fruits and vegetables into smoothies for breakfast most mornings. Chad and Roxanne have lost weight through regular exercise, and Addison has adopted healthy habits, such as checking food labels before consumption. The family has also shared what they've learned with their friends and family, encouraging their loved ones to adopt healthier habits.

"We've also incorporated more family time by cooking together," she said. "Overall, the experience has definitely been wonderful, but we're still a work in progress."

The Hendons worked out at Pivotal Fitness in Taylors, working with trainers Brad Reece and Raquel Brunson, and also received nutritional advice from Wendy Watkins, president and CEO of Plate 108 on Poinsett in Greer.

During a grocery store visit with the Hendons, Watkins showed the family how to use the free mobile phone app Fooducate, which allows users to scan barcodes to get a rating on how nutritionally valuable the item is. Misty said the app was an eye-opener.

"Even though this was not a weight-loss challenge, Michael and I did lose weight and inches," Misty said. "We lost over 25 pounds and about 15 inches combined."

Hendon also said the family hoped to continue incorporating lessons learned into their lives after the challenge.

"I will definitely continue the healthy lifestyle and continue being active with my family," she said. "I am truly grateful how the challenge helped me and my family get started on the right path."